Sri Sumangala favourites against Rahula Matara 

by Reemus Fernando

There had been no team as consistent as Sri Sumangala College, Panadura in the Under 19 Division II Tier ‘A’ cricket tournament during the last three years. They came almost close to achieving the Division I promotion last season before they were halted in the semi-final by St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya.

This time they will be looking to leave no stone unturned in their quest to accomplish the target when they meet Rahula College, Matara in the Division II Tier ‘A’ cricket semi-final today (18) and tomorrow (19) at the ACE Capital CC cricket ground Narahenpita.

Sri Sumangala captained by Vidusha Peiris are in the semi-finals after recording a crushing innings and 30 runs victory over Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya in the quarter-final where Vishwa Lahiru excelled with a match bag of eleven wickets.

When Sri Sumangala reached the semi-finals last season they were without their key strike bowler Lahiru as he was on national duty with the Sri Lanka Under 19 team. His presence will be an added advantage for the team to clear the final hurdle. The winners of the two semi-finals will book a berth in the Tier ‘A’ final and will be promoted to the Division I category next season.

Sri Sumangala reached the knockout stage as the champions of their group.

Rahula Matara, skippered by Pasindu Shehan edged out Sri Devananda College, Ambalangoda in the quarter-finals after reaching the knockout stage as the third placed team in their group. They are the underdogs and will be looking to upset Sri Sumangala.

Teams:

Sri Sumangala College (from): Vidusha Peiris (Captain), Kavindu Gayathra, Vishwa Lahiru, Rasika Dilshan, Manmitha Kahapalaarachchi, Akila Wedamulla, Senira Wijegunasinghe, Mavindu Kumarasiri, Krishan Eranga, Neksha Iddamalgoda, Dinal Weerasinghe, Sandeep Weerasinghe, Bihanga Silva, Anuhas de Silva, Rusith Jayawardana.

Officials: Priyankara Nandasena (Master in Charge), Asela Perera (Head Coach), Dinuka Hondakanda (Asst. Coach)

Rahula College (from):Pasindu Shehan(Captain), ?Sadew Gamage, ?Minuga Wedamulla, Risinu Geenuka, ?Selak Peiris, ?Sehath Hettiarachchi, ?Resali Wathvidu, ?Hasika Kumarapperuma, ?Sandaneth Ranvinda, ?Aayu Kaviraj, ?Ishantha Gimhan, ?Senuk Dewditha, ?Uchitha Nethara, ?Pramuditha Nawanjana, ?Naviru Nethwan, ?Nehan Nirmala, ?Ijitha Induma.

Officials: D.P.M.C. Waidyarathne (Master in Charge), ?Tharindu Narasinghe (Head Coach), ?Pabasara Jayaweera (Asst. coach), ?Yuraj Chalaka (Asst coach).